Some additional information on modern Greek pronunciation: vowels

VOWELS

There are five basic vowel sounds:
α
ε, αι
η, ι, υ, ει, οι
ο, ω
ου

1. α is pronounced as the 'a' in father

2. αι and ε are pronounced the same: similar to the ‘e’ in pet, but with lips pulled slightly more to the side.

3. η, ι, υ, ει, and οι (and υι, which is less common) are pronounced the same: similar to the ‘ee’ in meet, but shorter. Or, between ‘bit’ and ‘beat’.

4. ο and ω are pronounced the same: somewhat like ‘bought’ but with lips more closed and rounded. Other guides give a sound closer to the English long ‘o’, probably for convenience.

5. ου is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'loot', or somewhat between 'put' and 'loot'.

6. The combinations 'αυ' is pronounced 'av' or 'af', depending on the following letter/sound. If the following sound is voiceless (κ, π, τ, χ, φ, θ, σ, ξ, ψ), αυ is pronounced 'af:

e.g., αυτό is pronounced 'af-TO'

Otherwise, αυ is pronounced 'av':

ε.γ., αύριον is pronounced 'AV-ree-on'

Similarly, the combination 'ευ' is pronounced 'ev' or 'ef', depending on the following letter/sound.

Consonants will be covered in the next blog. Χαίρετε!